Tamper Indicator Device

Abstract

A tamper-indicator device ( 10 ) for engagement with an item, such device comprising at least two substantially parallel members ( 12,14 ) which produce visible mark when brought into contact with one another under pressure, the device including means ( 16 ) for causing relative movement of the parallel members such that at least a portion of the visible mark is erased.

1 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device for engagement with an item, the device comprising at least two substantially parallel members which produce a visible mark when brought into contact with one another under pressure, and a means for causing relative movement of the parallel members such that at least a portion of the visible mark is erased. 
   
   
       2 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two parallel members are substantially planar. 
   
   
       3 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 2 , wherein the direction of relative movement occurs in the plane of the parallel members. 
   
   
       4 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for causing relative movement of the parallel members comprises engagement of pressure or force which spatially separates the two parallel members. 
   
   
       5 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 4 , wherein the relative movement of the parallel members occurs by means of spatial separation of the parallel members. 
   
   
       6 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 4 , wherein the relative movement of the parallel members occurs by means of movement without spatial separation. 
   
   
       7 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for relative movement between the parallel members is located between the parallel members and passes between the parallel members to separate the parallel members at the location of the visible mark. 
   
   
       8 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein the separating means is operable to separate the parallel members when the device is removed from the item. 
   
   
       9 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein the item is a container and the device is integral with a closure member of the item. 
   
   
       10 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein the item is a container and the device is independent of the closure member of the item. 
   
   
       11 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein the item is movable between an open and a closed configuration and wherein the separating means is operable to separate the parallel members when the device is moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration. 
   
   
       12 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for causing relative movement of the parallel members comprises an engagement portion for engaging with a container, the engagement portion operable to be moved between an engaged position and an un-engaged position to cause relative movement of the parallel members such that at least a portion of the visible mark is erased. 
   
   
       13 . A re-usable tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 , further comprising means to prevent the at least two substantially parallel members from being brought into contact with one another under pressure after the substantially parallel members have moved relative to one another. 
   
   
       14 . A method of applying a tamper-indication to an item, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a tamper-indicator device comprising at least two substantially parallel members which produce a visible mark when brought into contact with one another under pressure, and a means for causing relative movement of the parallel members such that at least a portion of the visible mark is erased;   b. applying the device to an item; and   c. applying a mark to the device by bringing the two parallel members together under pressure.   
   
   
       15 . A method of detecting if an item comprising the device of  claim 1  has been tampered with, said method of detecting comprising checking if the mark is present on the device, wherein the absence of the mark indicates that tampering has taken place. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the presence of the mark indicates that no tampering has taken place. 
   
   
       17 . A container comprising a tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       18 . A security stamp for use with a tamper-indicator device according to  claim 1 , said stamp comprising a defined pattern provided in relief for use in the application of pressure to the surface of the device. 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . (canceled)